All Chapters of Rayuwa : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

BINTA I lived on a remote island on the coast of Lafiya called Rayuwa. Lafiya is a country made up of four states. Fili State, Ruwa State, Gona State and Daji state. Rayuwa is part of Daji State, and the capital of Daji is Duniya. The proximity of Rayuwa to Duniya is near. Lafiya is a developed country, but although Rayuwa is a part of Lafiya, it lacks civilisation, and because of this, it serves as a tourist attraction for Lafiya, generating millions in revenue. In Rayuwa, there were no schools, no electricity, or water supply. People usually fetched water from the streams or dug wells in their compounds. The lack of civilisation made it impossible for us to access proper medical care, and because of this, my people sought the services of our local herbalists and witch doctors. I was the only literate in my village, and I was fortunate to be so, thanks to the non-government organisation that opened when I was five. The owner took a liking to me and offered my parents to allow the te

BINTA "This is wicked!" a loud voice woke me from sleep. It was morning, but it was still dark outside. "Even you? After all, I have done for this family?" it was my mother's voice; she was arguing with someone. I did not want to get involved unless I had to, so I stayed put and listened to their conversation. "How could you do this to me? This situation is not my fault! I have been nothing but a good submissive wife and daughter-in-law," I heard my mother sobbing. "But you knew it wouldn't work that way." I heard my uncle say, trying to calm the situation down but clearly against my mother. "You people are wicked. I regret marrying into this family. All this union has brought me is pain and sorrow. Now that I am no longer useful to you, you now do this." My mother continued lamenting. "Why will you say that? You are my sister and the mother of my favourite niece." I heard Gogo trying to console my mother. "Even you? So you knew about this all along, and you kept it from me. You

BINTA After my mother had finished, we were all in shock. Mimi, that was against my mother at first looked guilty. "Mama, may I sleep in your hut tonight?" I asked my mother. She looked at me and smiled; her smile was different. It carried deep understanding. "No, my daughter. Do not change your lifestyle because of anyone's predicament. Whatever you do should always be because you want to, not because society expects it from you. I am a living example of people that make such decisions. I have lived with pain and guilt every day for twenty years now. Nothing and no one can make it stop. You are important to me. Your birth made the pain bearable, but a child can never replace the other. You, my dear, can never be replaced. Go to your hut and sleep well. Do not burden yourself. You are the gift given to us by the Almighty to put smiles on our faces, cover our shame and give us hope when the deity had tried to take everything from us. I see you like that one thing she could never and

BINTA One of the palace guards, referred to as Dogara, came into our compound. The Sarki had sent for me. I was scared because I had declined his invitation twice when he sent the maids. He must be angry with me. That would be the only reason he will send a guard this time. I was scared. I hadn't had my bath yet, so I requested the guard give me time to freshen up and follow him back. He agreed to wait. The walk to the palace was silent. Guards were not known for humour. Their duty was to protect the palace and its inhabitants and run errands when necessary. They also went into battle when there was a shortage in the number of the army, but their primary duty and responsibility was to protect the throne and everyone in the palace only. When we arrived at the palace, I was ushered into the Sarki's private guest parlour. I had never been to this part of the palace before. I had never exceeded the throne room. Although our village was backward and uncivilised, the palace was beautiful

BINTA I walked home, silent and scared. How would I break the news to my mother? A lot was going on in the house at the moment. With what I had witnessed since my dad was killed, I knew deep down it would not be wise for me to leave my mother alone. The Sarki had told me to ponder on the issue, which was what I would do. I decided I would not tell my mother until I had decided what to do. It was a request from the Sarki, not an order, so I could reject the offer if I wanted to. I have always dreamed of escaping this forsaken village, and this opportunity would help me leave, eventually. The only thing tying me down was my mother. I decided to think about the whole issue and not make hasty decisions that I would regret. I had been gone for the whole day. It was late and dark by the time I got home. My stroll in the garden with Prince Adam really cost me. I have never returned this late before. When I entered the compound, I found my worried mother sitting outside her hut with Gogo by